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Things to consider
Family day care is a term used in Australia to describe childcare provided in the homes of 'family day carers'. Each carer looks after a small group of children, generally up to 5 children of mixed ages from birth 5 years. At times, the carer may also provide before and/or after school care and perhaps school holiday care for children up to 12 years of age.
Family day care is quite popular with many parents because it offers supervised care of a limited number of children in a home environment. This often provides an opportunity for the parents and their baby to develop a close relationship with the one carer. Family day care also provides a service for children under 3 years of age, who are too young to attend preschool or kindergarten.
Family day care arrangements are usually scheduled on a regular full or part- time basis, depending on what is agreed upon between the parents and carer. However, family day care can also provide flexible hours for parents who are casually employed, 'on call' or engaged in shift work, because some carers are willing to change their days weekly or monthly, depending on the other children in their care. They may also provide care when an emergency situation arises.
Family day carers in Australia are organised in local networks known as 'family day care schemes'. Each scheme supports approved family day care carers and is organised by a professional co-ordinating team. The support of the local Family Day Care coordinating team ensures that your baby's carer receives adequate resources and training and that they are up to date with current childcare practices and polices. Overall the responsibility of the co-ordinating team involves: